Chemical characterization of the essential oils of some aromatic plants of industrial interest from Uttarakhand, India

Uttarakhand is well known for possessing rich repository of important medicinal and aromatic plants. The agroclimatic condition prevailing in this region provides an ideal habitat for the natural growth of variety of plants and herbs, which provide raw materials for pharmaceutical, phyto-chemical, food, flavouring and cosmetic industries. Some wildly grown and important introduced aromatic plants from exotic sources viz, Rosmarinus officinalis L., Salvia officinalis L., Lavendula angustifolia Mill. and Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum were collected from temperate region of Central Himalayas. These aromatic plants are being maintained and conserved in the ex-situ Field Gene Bank of NBPGR Regional Station at Bhowali, district Nainital, Uttarakhand State. The essential oil compositions of R. officinalis, S. officinalis, L. angustifolia and O. vulgare ssp. hirtum have been chemically characterized by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The essential oils of rosemary, sage and lavender were characterized by presence of high proportions of oxygenated monoterpenes while that of oregano was rich in phenols. The variations in essential oil content, active constituents and different chemotypes identified for high medicinal value of theses herbs have been reported in this paper. Essential oil profiles of these aromatic plants revealed the presence of important aroma constituents that can be used in perfumery, food and flavor industry.